Chapter 37 A Deal with the Witch?


    So, it really is because Kyle was good-looking. That witch took one look at him and decided he’s her perfect husband?


    No one knew whether to pity Kyle or be green with envy.


    Taking a deep breath, Kyle stared at Theresa as he mentioned, “I’m alone now. Do spill. What is it that you


    want from me?”


    “I want your loyalty,” she replied coldly. “From this moment on, your life belongs to me.”


    “That’s not possible. I am responsible for my team-we need to return to camp.”


    Theresa stood and stretched as if she had all the time in the world. “Think it over. If you want him to survive, you’ll have to stay.”


    Kyle’s fists tightened as he watched her walk away. “Are you sure you can save him?”


    “If he’s still breathing, he won’t die,” she answered with absolute certainty. “That’s a promise.”


    With the system’s Emergency Pill, she had every reason to be confident!


    When Kyle heard that, he was silent for three seconds before answering solemnly, “Alright! If you can save my captain, then my life is yours!”


    “Kyle!”


    Hisrades shouted out in shock.


    “Take me instead!” Sebastian shouted. “Let him go-I’ll take his ce!”


    “Me too!” Malcolm added. “I’ll do whatever you want, just spare him!”


    “I surrender! Pick me!” Graham insisted.


    Victor stepped forward. “I’ve got nothing left-no family, no future. Let me go instead.”


    Even Dave, the poor guy who’d been caught in one of Theresa’s traps, joined in from the ground. “Take me, witch! I’m a dead man standing-sounds like a great deal!”


    Theresa looked at this bunch of self-sacrificing men, stunned into silence. Why are they acting like I’m about to eat Kyle alive, all scrambling to die in his ce? Someone even called me a witch… I’ve been so kind and gentle today, all to win over the precious Kyle. I’ve used up all my patience!


    “As if you guys are worthy?” she snapped. Then, she looked back at Kyle. “Carry him inside. Follow me.”


    With that, she strode toward her bomb bunker.


    Kyle took a deep breath, secured the man on his back, and quickly followed.


    “Kyle…”


    His teammates watched helplessly as he carried their captain inside. Their worry made them want to charge after him, but reason held them back. This was her territory, and the only reason they’d been allowed this far was because she permitted it.


    And this wasn’t about right or wrong in a world before the apocalypse-just those dogs she raised, the traps, and the mysterious defenses were enough to keep them in line.


    They didn’t dare act recklessly. All they could do was watch him disappear inside.


    Once Kyle stepped through the heavy steel door behind Theresa and entered the bunker, he was even more stunned by what he saw. The space was brightly lit, and somewhere farther inside, he could hear the faint hum of a generator.


    He couldn’t begin to guess how she had soundproofed the ce or what kind of crazy generator she had- it was so quiet it was almost unnoticeable!


    Anyone familiar with diesel generators would know just how loud they can get, especially in a partially enclosed environment like this.


    What Kyle didn’t realize was that it wasn’t just any generator-it was an advanced, upgraded model.


    The interior of the bunker was neat and organized. There were couches, wool rugs, arge bed, and even a bathroom. The back rooms werepletely sealed, with doors that looked like they belonged in a high- security bank vault.


    The second floor resembled a tower, and he could make out a row ofputers and even a mounted crossbow.


    That was, of coursè, if a full-blown military unit was sent in-but really, who would bother attacking a small base hidden in the middle of the mountains?


    That was when it dawned on Kyle. The location of this base is unbelievably well-hidden. Deep in the wilderness, no one would ever guess that such a fully equipped and fortified private defense structure exists here. The odds of anyone identally finding it are almost nonexistent. She thinks of everything-every detail meticulously nned.


    As he ran through all the details of Theresa’s base in his mind, his heart was shaken. Who is she? How does she manage to build such a fully functional doomsday fortress in a ce this isted-without anyone noticing? And even more shocking-where does she get all of this? From the animal traps guarding the entrance to the armored vehicle she drives, everything looks too advanced. Now that they get a closer look, it’s obvious: the craftsmanship and technology are far beyond anything that should exist today.